Niger Delta

NDDC To Partner Stakeholders On ‘Implementable’ 2024 Budget

Published

1 year ago

August 23, 2023

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is ready to partner with critical stakeholders of the region to fashion out an implementable budget for the commission in the 2024 budget.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said this in Uyo on Monday during a stakeholders’ engagement.
The Tide source reports that the theme for the two-day conference is “Partners for sustainable development forum – NDDC 2024 Budget conference”.
Ogbuku said the forum was designed to provide a veritable platform for achieving effective budgeting system, in line with the Federal Government’s ‘’Renewed Hope’’ project.
He said: “This conference is very vital. For one, it helps to revive the platform of the partners for sustainable development forum, which was created as part of the regional masterplan implementation guideline.
“It also helps to bring all service providers and project implementers to the same table to fashion a common pathway based on shared vision for the development of the region.
“For another, it affords all of us the incentive and opportunity to pool our resources together, initiate projects and programmes within the obligatory goal of building a better region and empowering our people.
“By so doing, we would, arising from the conference, galvanise our energies for a common purpose, eliminate duplications and institutional suspicions in the development process.
“We would also reduce the incidence of working at cross purposes as well as reduce wastage of scarce resources allocated for regional development initiatives by all stakeholders.
“And to succeed, we must remain committed to doing things differently”, Ogbuku said.
In a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, urged the commission “to evolve budgets that would meet the development needs of the states and communities in the region”.
Belgore, represented by the Director of Planning and Statistics, Mr Alfred Abba, said that NDDC budgets over the years were faced with challenges, which included belated submission and delayed approvals, amongst others.
Abba said that those challenges led to low as well as poor implementation, which the conference hoped to address.
“The commission is procedurally to submit the budget proposal to the ministry, which would in turn submit to the Presidency, after scrutiny and review.
“Upon submission, the Presidency then transmits it to the National Assembly,” he said.
According to him, the way forward is to embrace robust and innovative pathways anchored on transparency and stakeholders’ participation towards right-budgeting, thus maximising the available resources to address the most critical needs of the people,” he said.
The source reports that the meeting was attended by representatives of governments of the nine Niger Delta states, international oil companies, traditional rulers, youth groups and civil society organisations, amongst others.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Public Hearing On Human Trafficking Prohibition Bill

Published

7 days ago

September 13, 2024

The Tide

The Delta State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing on the State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.
The Tide’s source reports that the public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Girl Child Entrepreneurship in Asaba.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, said the hearing was to provide members of the public the opportunity to offer contributions to the proposed law.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the state has a law that adequately answers to the challenges it seems to address and satisfy the needs and aspirations of our people and society.
“We have invited you to join us to make a law that will help to effectively address and eradicate the odious practice of human trafficking in our state.
“We know that as stakeholders, the effective participation in making this law will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the law that will finally emerge from the process”, she said.
Anyafulu assured the stakeholders that the committee would look into their suggestions and consider areas that could help to strengthen the bill as well as enhance its quality.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, called for the inclusion of the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the implementation process.
It also reports that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others, were involved in the public hearing.
They commended the State Executive for initiating the bill and called for its speedy passage.

Niger Delta

FG Gives 24,180 Bags Of Maize, Garri To A’Ibom

Published

7 days ago

September 13, 2024

The Tide

The Federal Government has handed over 24,180 bags of 50kg maize and 5,828 bags of 25kg ‘garri’ to the Akwa Ibom State Government for distribution to vulnerable households.
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government in Uyo, the State Capital.
Represented by Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, the Head, Operations, NEMA, Akwa Ibom State office, Umar said the donation was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved the release of 42, 000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve to vulnerable households.
Umar said that the president’s promise was the government’s way of reducing the impact of the current economic hardship in the country.
“We are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the intended beneficiaries in the communities”, she said.
The NEMA D-G said that the food items should be shared in the communities through properly constituted committees at the local government levels.
She said membership of the local government committees should include the council chairman, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency and the traditional institutions.
Umar said 20 per cent of the food items for each council area should be given to religious groups, and that three per cent of it should be given to boarding schools in the area.
Receiving the items, Dr Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
Offor said that the gesture was a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the citizenry.
The commissioner promised that the state government would ensure that the items were given to the intended beneficiaries.

Niger Delta

Edo Poll: Concerned Obidient Movement Endorses PDP’s Ighodalo

Published

7 days ago

September 13, 2024

The Tide

A group, Concerned Obidient Movement, has declared support for Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
Leader of the group, Mr. Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, told newsmen in Benin that the election transcends individual personalities.
“It is a critical moment that will shape the future of Edo. The PDP is creating a climate of renewed political energy that promises sustainable progress.
“Its candidate, Ighodalo, and the deputy, Osarodion Ogie, possess the vision and qualifications that align with the aspirations of Edo people,” he said.
Igbinevbo highlighted the candidates’ deep understanding of the State’s challenges and potential which, he said, positions them to lead the state into a new era of prosperity and responsible governance.
He urged Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora, to unite in their support for the PDP and its candidates ahead of the election.